Method and apparatus for forming articles from wire or the like



March 5,-1935. G, ELAND 1,993,484

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING ARTICLES FROM WIRE OR THE LIKE Filed Oct. 16, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 71 5 Arm W March 5, 1935- 1,993,484

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING ARTICLES FROM WIRE OR THE LIKE e. H. LELAND Filed 0013. 16,

- wrm NM A G. H. LELAND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING ARTICLES FROM WIRE OR THE LIKE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 16, 1933 Patented Mar; 5, 1935 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING ARTICLES FROM WIRE on THE LIKE George H; Leland, Dayton, Ohio, assignor of onehalf to The Leland Electric Company, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application October 16,

29'Claims.

' This invention relates to a method and 1 apparatus for forming articles from wire or the like and is designed more particularly for forming commutator segments from copper wire.

I-Ieretofore it has been customary to form commutator segments from bars of copper which have been previously formed, by rolling 'or otherwise, to give them a tapered cross sectional shape.

The forming of the bars involves considerable expense which increases the cost of the segments. It has been proposed heretofore to form such segments from wire but the apparatus for forming ,the same comprised a plurality of rolling devices operating successively on the wire, both longitu ldinally and transversely thereto, and was of a complicated nature which rendered it expensive to construct and unsatisfactory in operation.

One object of the present invention is toprovide a simple method of forming articles, such .as commutator segments, from wire'by swedging 1 the wire to impart thereto the desired cross sectional shape and then severing the segments from the formed wire.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple and emcient apparatus for swedging the wire to the desired shape. I

, A further object oithe invention is to provide a swedging die to produce a desired cross section in the copper of a standard size of wire;

A further object of the invention is to provide such an apparatus in which each portion of the wire will be repeatedly engaged .by a forming member as it passes between that forming memher and a cooperating forming member, the repeatedactions of the forming devices serving to pregressively impart to the wire the desired shape. A further object of the invention is to provide such an apparatus with feeding mechanism which A further object of the invention is to provide such an apparatus with means for severing portions of the formed wire and for accurately fpositioning the formed wire prior to each severing operation. a I f A further object of the invention is to provide such an apparatus with means for automatically 1933, Serial No. 693,783

interrupting the feeding operation if the wire fails to unwind from the coil and its feeding movement is thereby checked. Other objects of the invention will appear as the apparatus is described in detail; In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a side elevationpartly in section, of an apparatus embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is aplan View of a section of wire which has been partially formed and from which a number of segments have been severed; Fig. 3 is a detail view of one of the segments; Fig. t is a plan View of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;Fig. 5 is a front end elevation of the apparatus; Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken through 'the forming members on the line 66 of Fig. 1, showing the forming members in their closed'positions; Fig. is a transverse sectional detail View taken through the forming members on the line 'l-7 of Fig.1; showing the same intheir closedpositions; Fig. 8 I is a transverse sectional view taken through the feeding-mechanism on the line 8-8 .of Fig. 1; Fig. 9 is a side elevation, partly brokenaway,

of the mechanism as a whole, showing the-auto-matic control for the feeding device; and Fig. 10 is a plan view of the reel and the device which automatically actuates the feed controlling means. Inthese drawings I have illustrated'one embodiment of my invention and have shown the same as applied to an apparatus for forming conimutator segments of: a known type but it will be understood that the apparatus may take various forms and may be "used for forming articles of various'kinds. a g V The forming apparatus and its associated parts may be -mounted and operatedin'any suitable manner and in Fig. 91 have shown the same as mounted in a punch press comprising an upright frame'll, having a bed plate 12, and a reciprocatory ram 13 which is operated from a shaft 7 14 many suitable manner, as by a crank on the shaft, which is not shown but which may be of the usual character. Mounted on the bed plate 12 is aformingdevice or dieblock 15 and mounted on the ram 13 for movement therewith is a second forming device 16 which is movable toward and from 'the lower forming device- 15 and cofrom the rear or receiving end thereof toward the front end thereof. In the present construction the lower forming member 15 is provided with a longitudinal groove 17 extending for the full length thereof, the cross sectional shape of which changes progressively from its rear end toward its front end which, in the present instance, is of progressively decreasing depth from its rear end to a point near the front end thereof.

As here shown, the bottom of the groove is inclined upwardly and forwardly from its rear end to a point some distance beyond the center of the forming member, as shown at 18, and that portion of the groove in front of the point 18 is of Lmiform depth longitudinally. When the formed wire is to be used for the production of commutator segments it must be tapered laterally from one edge to the other and for this purpose the bottom wall of the groove 1'7 is inclined laterally, as shown in Fig. 6, so that the groove is of greater depth at one lateral edge than at the other lateral edge thereof. The bottom wall of the groove may be laterally inclined throughout its entire length if desired but, in the present instance, I have shown the bottom wall of the forward portion only of the groove as laterally inclined, that is, the portion of the groove lying in front of the transverse line 18, this line extending obliquely to the groove as shown in Fig.

4, and the bottom wall of the rear or longitudinally inclined portion of the groove is substantial ly horizontal. I prefer this arrangement as I have found that it provides for a better distribution of the metal than is had when the bottom wall of the groove is laterally inclined throughout its entire length. It is also desirable that both the upper and lower surfaces of the formed wire should be inclined to provide a uniform taper to the wire in cross section. For this purpose the upper surface of the forming member 15 is inclined laterally, as shown at 19 in Figs. 6 and 7, the inclination of the upper surface of the forming member being in a direction opposite to the lateral inclination of the bottom wall of the groove.

The lower surface of the upper or reciprocatory forming member 16 is so shapedthat when it is in contact with the lower forming member, and the forming members are in their closed positions, the lower surface of the upper member will close the groove in the lower member and thus provide a longitudinal opening between the two members, the cross sectional shape of which changes-progressively between the ends of the opening. 7 This lower surface of the upper member may, if desired, be fiat throughout its length but I prefer to provide the same in its rear portion with a longitudinal groove 20 which decreases in'depth from the rear end thereof toward the front end of the forming member, so as to provide the opening between the forming members with a rear portion of a depth approximately equal to the diameter of the wire which is to be operated on, as shown in Fig. "I. The groove 20 in the upper forming member is preferably of a length approximately equal to the length of the longitudinally inclined portion of the groove 1'7 in the lower forming member. The forward portion of the lower surface of the upper forming member is flat and is inclined laterally at the same angle that the upper duction of the forming members. The action of the forming members serves to expand the wire laterally and to elongate the same-the elongation being mostly rearwardly, and the longitudinal inclination of the opposed surfaces is such that the lateral expansion will be so proportioned with relation to the elongation as to provide a proper distribution of the metal. Further, the longi-- tudinal inclination of the opposed surfaces is preferably such that when the forming members are in their closed positions the rear ends of said sur faces will be spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the wire, thus causing the forming. devices to act on the wire as soon as it enters the opening between the same and preventing the forming of transverse shoulders on the wire, which will interfere with the feeding movement thereof.

The wire which is to be formed, which is shown at 21, is fed between the two forming members, that is, through the groove 17, with a step by step movement, each movement of the wire advancing the same a distance materially less than the length of the opposed surfaces of the forming members. In'the present instance, each forward movement of the wire advances the same a distance approximately equal to the length of the segment which is to be severed from the formed wire and the opposed surfaces of the forming members have a length several times greater than the length of one of the segments. The upper or movable forming member 16 is operated in timed relation to the feeding movements of the wire so that it will engage the wire after each feeding movement thereof and inasmuch as a number of feeding movements are required to move a given portion of the wire for the full length of the opposed surfaces of the forming members it will be obvious that said given portion of the wire will be repeatedly engaged by the.

movable forming member in diiferent positions between the two forming members, so that the cross sectional shape of the wire will be progressively changed until it reaches the forwardportion of the groove 17 in which its final form will be imparted thereto and it will be caused to substantially fill and thereby assume approximately the shape of, the forward portion of the opening between the two forming members. 'In the production of commutator segments it is not essential that the formed wire shall completely fill the angular corners of the groove, nor that the formed wire shall be of exactly uniform width.

The wire may be fed between the forming members by any suitable mechanism which will impart the desired movements thereto. Preferably I employ a reciprocatory feeding device which is operated in timed relation to the movements of the upper forming member and which is provided with a gripping device, in the nature of a one-way clutch, which will grip the wire and cause the same to move with the feeding device upon the forward movement of the latter but will release the wire and permit the feeding dcvice to move rearwardly with relation thereto, a suitable detent being provided to prevent the wire from being dragged rearwardly, in a reverse direction, by the rearward movement of the feeding device. The particular feeding device here illustrated comprises a feeding member 22 supported by the bed plate 12 just in advance of and in line with the rear end of the lower forming member. Preferably this feeding member is mounted in a frame or guide block 23 which is rigidly secured to the bed plate 12 and by the feeding device.

is provided with side walls having longitudinal slots 2a to receive laterally projecting studs25 which are rigidly secured to; and in the present instance formed integral with,,the feeding merriber 22 and which extend beyond the sides of the guide block and are adapted to be engaged in cam grooves 26 formed in actuating plates 2? carried by and depending from the ram 13, the studs 25 being preferably provided with rollers to reduce the friction between the same and the actuatin plates. These cam slots have their lower'portions inclined downwardly and rearwardly and their upper portions substantially vertical, so that the lower portions of the slots will impart forward movement tot-he feeding device during the first portion of the downward movement of the ram and the upper forming member, and the upper portions of the slots permit the continued downward movement of the ram after the feeding movement of the wire has been completed and hold the feeding member against movement during the actual form ing operation.

The gripping members of the feedingdevice may take various forms and may be arranged in various ways but, in the present instance, the feeding member 22 has a longitudinal bore'in which is provided a rearwardly tapered recess, this recess being in the presentinstance formed in an annular member or short sleeve 23 mounted in the enlarged rear portion of the bore and retained therein by a plug 29 screw threaded into the rear end of the bore, the forward portions of the inner walls of the annular member converging rearwardly. ,The plug 29 and the forward end of the feeding member are provided with alined openings to provide a passageway for the wire. The gripping members are mount,- ed in the taperedrecess in the member 28 and are here shown as balls 30 of such a diameter that'when they are pressed into the rear portion of the tapered recess they will gripthe wire and cause the same to move forwardly with the feeding member, but when moved forwardly in the recess they will release the wire and may move rearwardly with. relation thereto. Ihe pressure exerted on the wire by the gripping members is determined by the extentof their rearward movement in the tapered recess and maybe regulated by inserting in the rear end of the tapered recess a washer or shim 31 which is removable therefrom, so-that by removing'the annular member 28 and substituting for "the washer 31 another washer of different thickness the extent of movement of the-gripping members may be The gripping members are pressed normally toward the rear endof the tapered recess, to hold the same in firm engagement with the wire, by a spring pressed member, here shown as a short sleeve 32 having at its rear end an inwardly extending flange 33' to engage the balls. This member is pressed rearwardly by a spring 3% confinedbetween the flange 33' and the forward end of the feeding member. The action of the formin members on the wire will not only expand the wire laterally but will also expand it longitudinally, both forwardly andrearwardly, thus tending to impart a rear "ard movement to that portion of the wire which is 'grippee This elongation of the wire will tend to force the same rearwardly past the gripping members while, the latter are in their innermost positions, and the gripping members will thus be caused to bite into and form grooves in the surface of the wire, which is objectionable.

I'have thereforesoconstructed the feeding device that the grippingmembers will engage the wirewith sufficient pressure ,to impart feeding movement thereto but will permit a. rearward movement of the wire with relation thereto when the latter is elongated rearwardly by the action of the forming members. In the" present construction this is accomplished by so regulating therearward movement of the balls, by varying the thickness of the shim 31, that the balls will not be permitted to bite intothe copper of the wire sufliciently to prevent the rearward move: ment thereof or to form deep groves therein'when high pressure is exerted on-the wire by the rearward elongation thereof, butwill permit thewire to .move rearwardly withrelation to the balls without being grooved-or marred to an objectionable extent. 1

The detent which holds the wire against re.- verse movement during the rearward movement of the feeding device may be of any suitable char-v acter butis preferably so constructed that it will permit a slight rearward movement of the wire when the latter is rearwardly elongated by the action; of the forming members. In the constructio hereshown the detent comprises a tubular member 35 rigidly mounted on the bed plate .12 in the rear of the feeding device and having slidably mounted therein a sleeve 36 which is retained in the tubular member by a plug 37 screw threaded into the rear end thereof. and which may be adjusted to determinethe amount of sliding movement which may be imparted to the sleeve. -The sleeve carries gripping devices similar to those described in connection with the feeding device and-is therefore provided with a rearwardlvtapered recess formed in an annular member 38 retained in the enlarged rear portion of the bore by a screw plug 39, and adapted to receive gripping members or balls 40.. A spring pressed member il tends to move the balls toward the rear end of the tapered recess so that they will be in constant engagement with the wire. The plugs 37 and 39 and the front walls of the sleeve and of the tubular member are provided with alined openings to form a passageway for the wire. It will be apparent'that the forward pull exerted on the wireby the feeding device will move the gripping members forwardly to release the wire and, permit of itsforward movement but thatia-s soon as the. forward movement of the wire has ceased the gripping members will be pressed into firm engagement-therewith so as to prevent'any rearward movement of the wire with relation to the gripping device. The contact of the gripping members with the wire will cause the sleeve to'move 'forwardlyto the limit of its movement uponthe forward movement of the wire and when thewire is elongated rearwardly by the action of the forming mem here this sleeve will move rearwardly'withthe Wire, thus permitting of such rearward movement of the wire as is occasioned by its elonga-v tion. If theelongationof the wire does not move the sleeve to its rearrnost position it will be moved to thatposition by the first rearward movement of the feeding device, the gripping members of the feeding device causing the .wire to move therewith .until the sleeve of the detent has 7 reachedthe rearward limit of its movement, when the further reverse movement of the wire will 'be prevented. The distance which the wire canmove rearwardly with'the feeding device; and therefore the position of thBJVlIGQt the beginning of each feeding movement, is of course controlled by the extent of the rearward movement of the detent sleeve. By adjusting the screw block 37 to vary the movement of the detent sleeve the distance that the feeding device will move rearwardly with relation to the Wire may be varied and the amount of wire advanced by each feeding movement thereby regulated.

It is desirable that that portion of the wire which is between the forming members should be lubricated between forming operations and for this purpose I have provided a lubricating device which will project a jet of lubricant on and lengthwise of that portion of the Wire which lies in the groove 17, between successive forming operations. As here shown, this lubricating device comprises a cylinder 42 having a discharge opening arranged just in the rear of and slightly above the lower forming member 15, this discharge opening being directed lengthwise of the groove 17. In the present instance, the cylinder is mounted in a horizontal position on the upper portion of the guide block 23 and has in its forward end a downwardly and forwardly inclined discharge opening 43. A piston 44 is mounted in the cylinder and connected by a rod 45 with a bracket 46 rigidly secured to the rear end of the feeding member 22, so that the forward or operative movement will be imparted to the piston upon each forward movement of the feeding device. The cylinder is provided in its upper wall with an inlet opening 47, and a supply pipe 48, which is connected with a suitable source of lubricant supply, is arranged to discharge by gravity through the opening 47 into the cylinder. Consequently upon each forward movement of the feeding device a jet of lubricant, either liquid or a mixture of liquid and air, will be discharged onto the wire in the groove 17. Preferably the piston rod 45 is yieldably connected with the feeding device so as to permit the latter to have a forward movement with relation to the piston in the event the movement of the piston is unduly retarded, as by an excessive accumulation of liquid in the cylinder or the clogging of the outlet. For this purpose the piston rod' is slidably mounted in a short sleeve 49 which is mounted in the bracket 46, and a spring 50 confined between the piston and the front end of the sleeve tends to hold the piston in its foremost position with relation to the feeding device, this movement being limited by a stop 51 on the rear end of the piston rod.

When the desired cross sectional shape has been imparted to the wire and the formed wire has been projected beyond the forward ends of the forming members sections or articles of the desired size and shape are severed from the wire. For this purpose I have mounted on the bed plate 12, just beyond the forming members, a die block 52 arranged to receive the formed wire and with which cooperates a punch 53, the die and punch being of such configuration as to sever sections of the desired shapes from the formed wire. Preferably the punch is carried by the ram 13 so that it operates in unison with the forming member and feeding device, thus causing one section to be severed from the formed wire for each feeding movement of the wire. The commutator segments which are to be severed from the wire comprise an elongated outer portion 54 and a dovetailed inner portion 55 as shown in Fig. 3. The elongated portion 54 of the segment must be of an exact predetermined width and it is preferable that this portion of the segment be severed from the thick edge of the formed wire by end cuts only and without removing any part of the thicker edge of the wire. Consequently it is important that the thick edge of the formed wire should be moved into firm engagement with the adjacent side wall of the die prior to the engagement of the punch therewith. To accomplish this I have slidably mounted in that side of the die block adjacent to the thin edge of the formed wire a bar 56, the inner end of which engages the thin edge of the wire and the outer end of which projects beyond the die block and is provided with a roller 57 arranged to be engaged by a cam finger 58 carried by the ram and projecting some distance below the punch 53. The cam finger preferably has suflicient resiliency to cause it to exert a constant pressure on the bar 56 as the ram moves down wardly, thus causing the bar to press the thick edge of the formed wire into tight engagement with the side wall of the die before the wire is engaged by the punch. A stop 59 is arranged at the front end of the die in the path of the thick edge of the formed wire and serves to accurately position the wire longitudinally with relation to the die. The action of the punch removes that portion of the wire which is in engagement with the stop and moves the same downwardly so that the stop does not interfere with the next feeding movement of the wire. The removal of the dovetailed portion of the segment from the thin side of the formed wire may result in a complete severance of the wire, through the thin edge thereof, or a thin longitudinal strip of scrap may remain, as shown in Fig. 2. The width of the dove-tailed portion of the segments may vary within certain limits and therefore any minor variations in the width of the formed Wire will not result in imperfect segments.

The wire from which the articles are formed is usually purchased in coils and when the wire is to be formed the coil is mounted on a suitable reel 60, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, and the wire drawn from the coil by the feeding device, the reel rotating to permit the wire to unwind from the coil. It sometimes happens that the wire in the coil will become tangled or for some reason will fail to unwind therefrom, thus preventing the continued feeding movement of the wire. In order to prevent injury to the mechanism when this happens I have provided means controlled by the wire to automatically interrupt the feeding operation. In the present instance this automatic device disconnects the ram from its driving mechanism and thus stops the operation of all parts of the apparatus. Any suitable form of clutch may be interposed between the driving mechanism for the press and the shaft 14. In the present construction the driving member 61 is rotatably mounted on the shaft and the shaft has rigidly secured thereto a hub or collar 62 in which are rigidly mounted two or more pins 63 which project toward the hub 64 of the driving member 61. A pin 65 is slidably mounted in the hub 64 for movement into and out of a position to engage one of the pins 63 and thus connect the driving member with the shaft. The pin 65 has a part, such as a stud 66, arranged to engage a cam 67 and thus retract the pin 65 and disconnect the shaft from the driving wheel, the pin 65 being held normally in its operative position by a spring, not here shown. The cam 67'is arcuate in form and has one end pivotally mounted on the frame 11 at 68 and has its other end connected with a spring 69 which tends to move the cam into the path of the stud 66 on the pin 65. The cam is connected by a suitable connecting device, such as a chain 70, with a foot lever 71 by means of which the cam may be moved downwardly against the action of the spring 69 to permit the clutch pin 65 to move to its operative position. The cam may be held in its retracted position in any suitable manner but, in the present instance, I have secured to' the chain 70 the armature 72 of an electromagnet 73, which is mounted on the frame of the press. This magnet is normally energized when the press is in operation and is preferably connected in the motor circuit so as to be energized simultaneously with the starting of the motor. Therefore, when the clutch controlling cam 67 is moved to its inoperative position the armature 62 will be attracted to'the magnet and will hold the cam in its inoperative position so long'as the magnet is energized. In order-to automatically stop the operation of the apparatus when the wire fails to unwind from the coil I have provided means for automatically deenergizing the magnet '73. As here shown, thismeans comprises a mercury tube switch 74 mounted on a rod '7 5 journaled in suitable bearings on the frame 76 which supports the reel. A spring 7'? acts on the rod '75 to hold the switch 74.- normally in its closed position. Connected with the rod is an arm '78 which "extends upwardly across the path of the wire as it travels from the reel to the forming apparatus. This arm is arranged on that side of the path of the wire adjacent to the reel. If the wire becomes tangled'in the coil or for any other reason fails to unwind therefrom the continued pullon the wire by the feeding devices will tend to rotate the reel and the wire will be moved laterally from, its normal path to-substantially the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 10, at

20, and will thus be caused to engage the arm '78 and rock the rod 75 in adirection to open the switch, thereby deenergizing the magnet and permitting the spring 69 tomove the clutch releasing cam to its operative position. It will be under-' stood that when the wire fails to unwind from the coil the continued movement of the reel will cause the wire to be moved laterally from its normal path and the stiffness of the wire will cause the same to assume a curved position substantially as shown in Fig. 10, in which position it will contact with an operate the arm '78. The magnet circuit may also be provided with a manually operated switch '79, in series with the switch '74, to enable the magnet to be deenergized at the will of the operator. After the operation of the apparatus has been interrupted that switch, 74 or 79, which has been operated to deenergize the magnet, will be returned to its normal position and the mechanism'may again be started in operation by merely depressing the foot lever 71.

While I have shown and described one embodiment of my invention I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the details thereof as various modifications may occur to a person skilled in the art.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is:

1. The method of forming articles from wire or the like which comprises advancing continuous lengths of wire by successive movements each of a length approximately equal to the length of the article to be formed, and thus moving each portion of said wire to a'plurality of successive stationary positions, causing a forming device'to acton each portion of said wire in each of said stationary positions to progressively impart thereto a predetermined cross sectional shape, and severing sections of'the wire which have passed beyond said forming device.

2. In an apparatus for forming articlesf'rom wire or the like, a pair of forming members having opposed surfaces shaped to progressively impart a predetermined cross sectional shape to a wire fed between the same, power operated means for advancing said wire by successive movements to locate each portion thereof successively in a plurality of stationary positions between said forming members, and means for causing one of said forming members to act on each portion of said wire while said portion is in each ofsaid stationary positions to progressively change the cross sectional shape of said wire. I

3. In an apparatus for forming articlesfrom wire or the. like, a forming member having a groove of progressively changing cross sectional shape, power operatedmeans for feeding the wire through said groove with intermittent movements, each of a length less than the lengthof said groove, a second forming member mounted for movement into engagement with the wire in said groove, and means for causing said second forming member to engage said wire while the latter is stationary after each feeding movement thereof.

4. In an apparatus for forming articlesfrom wire or the like, cooperating forming members one of which is mounted for reciprocatory movement toward and from the other, said forming members having elongated opposed surfaces shaped to form between the same. a longitudinal opening, the cross sectional shape of which changes progressively between the ends thereof, power operated means for feeding a wire between said surfaces with a step by step movement, each movement of said wire advancing thesame a distance materially, less than the length of said opposed surfaces, and means for operating said reciprocatory forming member in timed relation to said feeding means to cause it to engage said wire while the latter is stationary after each feeding movement thereof and by successive engagements with each portion of said wire to impart thereto the desired form.

5. In an apparatusfor forming articles from wire or the like, cooperating forming members one of which is movable toward and from the other, said forming members having elongated opposed surfaces shaped to form between the same a longitudinal opening of a length equal to the combined lengths of at least two of the articles to be formed and the cross sectional shape of which changes progressively between the ends thereof, power op erated means for feeding a wire between said surfaces with a step by step movement, each movement of said wire advancing the same a distance substantially equal to the length of the article to be formed, means for operating said movable forming member in timed'relation to said feeding means to cause it to engage said wire while the latter is stationary after each feeding movement thereof and by successive engagements with each portion of said wire to impart. thereto the desired form, and means for severing a section of the formedwire upon each operation of said movable forming member.

6. In an apparatus for forming articles from wire or the like, cooperating forming members one of which is mounted for reciprocatory movement toward and from theother, said forming members having elongated opposed surfaces shaped to form between the same a longitudinal opening, the cross sectional shape of whichchanges progressively between the ends thereof, power operated means for feeding a wire between said surfaces with a step by step movement, each movement of said wire advancing the same a distance materially less than the length of said opposed surfaces, means for operating said reciprocatory formingmember in timed relation to said feeding means to cause it to engage said wire while the latter is stationary after each feeding movement thereof and by successive engagements with each portion of said wire to impart thereto the desired form, and means operating in timed relation to said reciprocatory member to sever portions of the wire which have been moved beyond said forming members.

'7. In an apparatus for forming articles from wire or the like, a stationary forming member having in its upper surface a groove extending from end to end of said surface, and gradually decreasing in depth from the rear end thereof to a point near the forward endthereof, a second forming member mounted above said stationary member for vertical reciprocatory movement toward and from the latter and having a lower surface extending for substantially the full length thereof and in opposed relation to said groove, power operated means for moving the wire through said groove with intermittent movements each of which advances said wire a distance materially less than the length of said groove, and means for causing said reciprocatory member to engage the stationary wire in said groove between successive movements of said wire and by repeated engagements with each portion of said wire to impart thereto a cross sectional shape conforming to the contour of said groove.

8. In an apparatus for forming articles from wire or the like, a stationary forming member having a groove extending from end to end of the upper surface thereof, said groove decreasing in depth progressively from the rear end thereof to a point near the front end thereof, the front portion of said groove being of uniform depth longitudinally and having its bottom wall inclined laterally, the upper surface of said member being inclined laterally in a direction opposite the inclination of the bottom wall of said groove, a second forming member mounted for reciprocatory movement toward and from said stationary member and having a laterally inclined lower surface parallel with the inclined upper surface of said stationary member, means for feeding a Wire through said groove with a step by step movement, each'of which movements advances the wire a distance materially less than the length of said groove, and means for actuating said reciprocatory forming member to cause the same to engage said wire after each feeding movement thereof.

9. In an apparatus for forming articles from wire or the like, a pair of forming members, means for imparting reciprocatory movement to one of said forming members, said forming members having elongated opposed surfaces shaped to progressively change the cross sectional shape of a wire fed between the same, a device for feeding a wire between the opposed surfaces of said forming members, and means operated in timed relation to the movements of said movable forming member to cause said device to impart successive feeding movements to said wire, each movement being of a length materially less than the length of said opposed surfaces.

10. In an apparatus for forming articles from wire or the like, a pair of forming members, means for imparting reciprocatory movement to one of said forming members, said forming members having elongated opposed surfaces shaped to progressively change the cross sectional shape of a wire fed between the same, a device for feeding a wire between the opposed surfaces of said forming members, and a device connected with said movable forming member for movement in unison therewith and having means to cause said feeding device to advance said wire a distance materially less than the length of said opposed surfaces during the first portion of the movement of said movable forming member toward the other forming member and to interrupt the movement of said wire during the final portion of said movement of said forming member.

11. In an apparatus for forming articles from wire or the like, a pair of forming members, a ram for imparting. reciprocatory movement to one of said forming members, said forming members having elongated opposed surfaces shaped to progressively change the cross sectional shape of a wire fed between the same, a reciprocatory feeding device to move a wire between the opposed surfaces of said forming members, said device having a laterally extending part, and an actuating member carried by said ram and having a cam groove to receive said part of said feeding device and impart movement to the latter during a portion of the movement of said ram and hold the same stationary during another portion of the movement of said ram.

12. In an apparatus for forming articles from wire or the like, a pair of forming members, means for imparting reciprocatory movement to one of said forming members, said forming members having elongated opposed surfaces shaped to progressively change the cross sectional shape of a wire fed between the same, a reciprocatory wire feeding device having means to engage the wire and advance the same upon the forward movement thereof and to release the wire upon the rearward movement of said feeding device, and a detent having gripping'means to prevent the reverse movement of the wire during the rearward movement of said feeding device.

13. In an apparatus for forming articles from Wire or the like, a pair of forming members, means for imparting reciprocatory movement to one of said forming members, said forming members having elongated opposed surfaces shaped to pro gressively change the cross sectional shape of a wire fed between the same, a wire feeding mechanism comprising gripping means engaging said wire with suffici nt pressure to advance the same upon the forward movement of said gripping means, but to permit said wire to move rearwardly with relation to said gripping means when said wire is elongated rearwardly by the action of said forming members.

14. In an apparatus for forming articles from wire or the like, a pair of forming members, means for imparting reciprocatory movement to one of said forming members, said forming members having elongated opposed surfaces shaped to progressively change the cross sectional shape of a wire fed between the same, a reciprocatory wire feeding device having means for gripping the wire upon the forward movement of said feeding device and releasing the wire upon the rearward movement of said feeding device, and means for so controlling said gripping means as to permit said wire tomove rearwardlywith relation there- LII to when said wire is elongated rearwardly by the action of said forming members.

15. In an apparatus for forming articles from wire or the like,a pair of forming members, means I for imparting reeiprocatory movement to one of said forming members, said forming members having elongated opposed surfaces shaped to prowhen said wire is elongated rearwardly by the action of said forming members, and a detent to prevent the reverse movement of said wire during the rearward movement of said feeding device, said detent being capable of a limited rear:- ward movement by said elongation of said wire.

15. In an apparatus for forming articles from wire or the like, a pair of forming members, means for imparting reeiprocatory movement to one of said forming members, said forming members having elongated opposed surfaces shaped to progressively change the cross sectional shape of a wire fed between the same, a wire feeding device comprising a reeiprocatory member having a passageway for the wire and having a rearwardly tapered recess, gripping members mounted in said recess, and a spring to move said gripping members rearwardly in said tapered recess, said spring being of such strength that said gripping 'members will cause said wire to mve forwardly with said feeding member but will permit said wire tomove rearwardly with relation to said gripping members when said wire is elongated rearwardly by the action of said forming members.

17. In an apparatus for forming articles from wire or the like, a pair of forming members, means for imparting reeiprocatory movement to one of said forming members, said forming -members having elongated opposed surfaces shaped to progressively change the cross sectional shape of a wire fed between the same, a wire feeding device comprising a reeiprocatory member having a passageway for the wire and having a rearwardly tapered recess, gripping members mounted in said recess, a spring to move said gripping members rearwardly in said tapered recess, said spring being of such strength that said gripping members will cause said wire to move forwardly with said feeding member but will permit said wire to move rearwardly with relation to said gripping members when said wire is elongated rearwardly by the action of said forming members, and a detent mounted for a limited rearward movement and having means for holding said wire against reverse movement with relation thereto.

13. In an apparatus for forming articles from wire or the like, a pair of forming members, means for imparting reeiprocatory movement to one of said forming members, said forming members having elongated surfaces shaped to progressively change the cross sectional shape of a wire fed between the same, a device for feeding a wire between the opposed surfaces of said forming members, means operated in timed relation to the movements of said movable forming member to cause said device to impart successive feeding movements to said wire, each movement being of a length materially less than the length of said opposed surfaces, and a lubricating device having means for ejecting a jet of lubricant on and lengthwise of that portion of said wire which is between said forming members, and means for actuating said lubricating device prior to each engagement of said movable forming device with said wire.

19. In an apparatus for forming articles from wire, or the like, a pair of forming members, means for imparting reeiprocatory movement to one of said forming members, said forming members having elongated opposed surfaces shaped to progressively change the, cross sectional shape of a wire fed between the same, a device for feeding the wire between the opposed surfaces of said forming members in relatively short successive steps, a lubricating device havingme-ans to eject a jet or lubricant on and lengthwise of that portion of said wire which is between said forming members, and means for actuating said feeding device and said lubricating device during the initial portion of the movement of said movable forming member toward the other forming member. I

20. In an apparatus for forming articles from wire or the like, a pair of forming members, means for imparting reeiprocatory movement to one of said forming members, said forming members having elongated opposed surfaces shaped to progressively change the cross sectional shape of a wire fed between the same, a reeiprocatory wire feeding device, means for actuating said feeding device to cause the wire to be fed between the opposed surfaces of said forming members in successive steps, each of a length materially less than the length of said surfacepa lubricating device having means to discharge lubricant onto substantiah,

ly the entire length of that portion of said wire which is between said opposed surfaces, and means to actuate said lubricating device on each operation of said feeding device.

21. In an apparatus for forming articles from wire or the like, a pair of forming members, means for imparting reeiprocatory movement to one of said forming members, said forming members having elongated opposed surfaces shaped to progressively change the cross sectional shape of a wire fed between the same, a reeiprocatory wire feeding device, means for actuating said feeding device to cause the wire to be fed betweenthe opposed surfaces of said forming members in successive steps, each of a length materially less than the lenth of said surfaces, a lubricating device having means to discharge lubricant onto substantially the entire length of that portion of :said wire which is between said opposed surfaces, and

means operatively connected with said feeding device to actuate said lubricating device.

22. In a mechanism of the character described, a pair of cooperating forming members having opposed surfaces to impart a predetermined shape to a wire passed between the same,'one of said forming members being movable toward and from the other forming member, a device for feeding a wire between said opposed surfaces, means for actuating said movable forming member and said feeding device in timed relation, a lubricating to a wire'passed between them, one of said forming members being movable toward and from the other member, a reciprocatory device for feeding a wire between said opposed surfaces, means for actuating said movable forming member and said feeding device in timed relation, a lubricating device comprising a cylinder having a discharge opening directed lengthwise of that portion of said wire which is between said forming members, a piston mounted in said cylinder, and means for operatively connecting said piston with said reciprocatory feeding device.

24. In a mechanism of the character described, a pair of cooperating forming members having opposed surfaces to impart a predetermined shape to a wire passed between them, one of said forming members being movable toward and from the other member, a reciprocatory device for feeding a-wire between said opposed surfaces, means for j actuating said movable forming member and said feeding device in timed relation, a lubricating device comprising a cylinder having a discharge opening directed lengthwise of that portion of said wire which is between said forming members, a

. piston mounted in said cylinder, and a yieldable connection between said piston and said reciprocatory feeding device.

25. In an apparatus for forming articles from wire or the like, a pair of forming members having opposed surfaces shaped to progressively change the cross sectional shape of a Wire fed between the same, a ram for imparting reciprocatory movement to one of said forming members, a device to feed the wire between said opposed I surfaces, means connected with said ram to acbetween the same, means for actuating one of said forming members, a device to feed the wire between said opposed surfaces, means to impart intermittent movement to said feeding device in timed relation to said movable forming member, a

- die arranged beyond said forming members to receive'the formed wire, a punch cooperating with said die to sever portions of the formed wire, and means to accurately position said formed wire in said die prior to each operation of said punch.

27. In an apparatus for forming articles from wire or the like, a pair of forming members having opposed surfaces shaped to progressively change the cross sectional shape of a wire fed b tween the same, a ram for imparting reciprocatory movement to one of said forming members, a device to feed the wire between said opposed surfaces, means connected with said ram to actuate said feeding device, a die arranged beyond said forming members to receive the formed wire, a punch connected with said ram and cooperating with said die to sever portions'of said formed wire, a movable member to press said formed wire against one side of said die, and a cam finger carried bysaid ram and arranged to actuate said pressure member upon each operation of said ram.

28. In a mechanism of the character described, cooperating forming members, a reel to support a coil of wire, and means for withdrawing the wire from said reel andfeeding the same between said forming members, a device to interruptthe operation of said feeding means, and means for controllingthe operation of said device comprising a movable member mounted adjacent to one side of the wire as the latter is withdrawn from said reel and arranged to be engaged and actuated by said wire when the latter is moved laterally from its normal path by the failure of the wire to unwind from the coil.

29. In a mechanism of the character desribed, cooperating forming members, a reel to support a coil of wire, means for withdrawing the wire from said reel and feeding the same between said forming members,'a device to interrupt the operation of said feeding means, comprising a normally energized magnet, a switch in circuit with said magnet, and a movable member operatively connected with said switch and extending transversely to said wire on that side of the normal path of said wire adjacent to said reel and arranged to be actuated by said wire when the latter is moved laterally from its normal path by the failure of the wire to unwind from said coil.

GEORGE H. LELAND; H 

